Abstract
Objectives. This study developed a measure that selects for preferable leadership approaches and can account for some of the bias that can disadvantage women in the selection and promotion process for leadership roles.
The covert measure of leadership was developed and validated to determine how leadership identity can show how well people match what others generally believe are essential qualities for effective leaders while assessing inclusiveness of leadership style. Method.
Preliminary data from the present study were collected from student populations at the University of Iowa and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Results. Analyses indicate women and men differed in their perceptions of desirable leadership qualities.
Results also suggest that, compared to men, women tend to define themselves more by the characteristics and approaches that align with leadership qualities shown to be highly effective in multiple contexts. Additional data are currently being collected from multinational participants, e.g., Czech Armed Forces applicants, and will also be presented.
These data will also include our covert scale of leadership identity, participants' self-assessment of the leadership behaviors, likelihood to rely on power or influence, and an inclusive leadership scale.